T1 relaxation times in vivo of human normal pelvic tissues and gynecologic malignancies.

The spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of the water protons of intrapelvic tissues was determined in vivo in women using an NMR imager. T1's of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix are significantly longer than those of the normal cervix. A similar trend occurs in carcinomas of the endometrium and ovary. The results suggest that direct determination of T1 in vivo may be useful in the diagnosis and management of gynecologic malignancies.